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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Full Screen Edition) Customer Reviews (76 - 78 of 101 Reviews)

Some people just don't get it...
One of the joys about the Harry Potter series is that the style of the books matures with the characters. This is finally true with the movies as well. Yes, this is a much darker film than the first 2...so is the book. Yes, Harry, Ron and Hermione act more like real teenagers and less like 1950's television children. There were choices made in this film that were risky, but in my opinion the risk paid off! This is the perfect progression in the films of Harry Potter!

So close and yet so far
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is a very well-made movie. Alfonso Cuaron, taking over the project from Chris Columbus, has done a remarkable job with every last detail of filming. Everything from the lighting to the cinematography to the musical score is breathtaking and amazing.

The actors are all at the top of their game. David Thewlis, also a newcomer to the project, does a wonderful turn as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. Another newcomer, Gary Oldman, plays escaped convict Sirius Black to a tee. The character was completely believable, and just as I had imagined him. Michael Gambon, as the new professor Dumbledore, makes a seamless transition into the role left behind by the late Richard Harris. And Emma Thompson steals all of her scenes as the loopy Professor Trelawney.

The film is shot with lots of dark colors and off-kilter angles, fitting the tone of the story perfectly. Harry is being stalked in this story, and Cuaron goes to every length to make sure the audience feels the discomfort Harry does when he thinks he's being watched.

The only downfall of "Azkaban" however, is that it's somewhat of a poor adaptation. I got the feeling that Cuaron had read Steve Kloves' script, but neglected to read the book. Many parts important to the audience(and to later books) get left out, and while the audience won't miss some of the cuts(Gryffindor winning the Quidditch cup, for example) some aspects that should have been included in the film were not. Furthermore, some parts of the book were left out that later become important to the plot. As a faithful reader of the series since book one, I knew what was going on, and was able to keep up, but those members of the audience who haven't read the book might get confused. This film(especially at the beginning) is somewhat exclusive to people that didn't read the series.

But the films have taken a big leap forward in quality with Cuaron at the helm. While the ones Colombus directed were glossed over and disney-fied, but very faithful to the books, Cuaron's movie makes several departures from Rowling's novel but, as a film, is much more ambitious and artistic than its two predecessors. So to those who have read the book: I urge you to go see "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", but be prepared to take it with a grain of salt. To those who haven't read the books, or haven't read them in a long time: Read or re-read the novel before you see the film. It will make that much difference.

it was dissapointing
I walked out of the theater like someone had punched me in the gut. Or like the air had been let out of my tires. I am a fanatic fan. I have read and re-read the entire series. This movie just wasn't done well. I didn't like the new doumbledore. I didn't like the new set location castle hagrids hut ect... However, the kids are getting better at acting. I had waited over two years and I almost left the theater in tears. They left way to much out and people who haven't read the books have to clue as what is going on.... just my thoughts!

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